How do I start a Sleep Out?
Note: If anyone in your group is under 18, make sure you involve a trusted adult at this point - think faculty advisor, youth group chaperone, or team coach - to help you navigate the rules of planning special events in your community and serve as chaperones on event night.
Why do I have to fundraise?
Sleep Out is a special experience that will make everyone who participates more aware of the challenges that homeless kids deal with every day. But awareness of a problem isn’t a solution for it.
We ask everyone who participates in the Sleep Out to raise money for Covenant House to help kids experiencing homelessness. This money will buy things like food, clothing, medicine, and blankets, and it will pay for heat and electricity in our shelters.
By fundraising, everyone who participates in the Sleep Out becomes part of the solution for youth overcoming homelessness.
What should I bring to a Sleep Out?
Each participant will need a sleeping bag and a cardboard box. Choose comfortable clothing that is appropriate for extended time outdoors (wear layers!). We also suggest bringing personal toiletries and medications. A smartphone is useful, but participants should try not to bring other personal valuables or luxury bedding items, such as pillows. The expectation is that you will “sleep rough” for one night, as some youth experiencing homelessness do.
If you’re not providing food and beverage at your event, we suggest having each participant pack their meals in a brown paper bag. Sandwiches, bottled beverages and other items that don't need refrigeration, heating or utensils are recommended (keeping in mind that homeless teens don't have these luxuries).
Where do I get cardboard boxes to sleep outside?
This is a question that teens facing homelessness ask and have to answer, too. Think for a minute. What items come in large boxes? Where are those items stored or unpacked or sold or shipped? Who might you ask for those boxes? A box hunt is a great activity to include in your Sleep Out program.
For more activities to help plan your evening, check out the Resources page.
What if it's too cold to sleep outside?
If it's unsafe for you to sleep outside for any reason - including weather, because you're in a big city, or because your group doesn't have a yard - it's fine to sleep indoors. The purpose of a Sleep Out is for you to feel what it's like to not be able to go home to your own bed and to understand some of the discomfort that kids experience while homeless. Groups have slept out in churches, hallways, classrooms, gyms, and even basements - if you're struggling to come up with a good option, e-mail us at [email protected] and we'll help you with ideas.
What do I do if someone gives me a check?
While most Sleep Out donations are made through credit card gifts online, people can also donate cash or write a check. The "Printables" section of the Resources page includes forms that can be downloaded to track single or multiple offline donations. You can also record these donations on your page in the Participant Dashboard by clicking the Donations tab.
Once you've collected a check or cash donation, please mail it to (Be sure to include your Sleep Out team name in the memo line)
Covenant House
Attn: Sleep Out
461 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001.
How can I spread the word about my Sleep Out?
Get The Word Out